Chiltern Wonderland 50 2025 Race Report

The tenth anniversary of this classic race took place on Saturday 20th September 2025. Autumn conditions were in the air with a strong breeze and some rain showers passing through but it was a warm and humid start to proceedings for the 244 runners who set out on this single 50 mile loop around the Chiltern hills.

With 5000+ft of climb and descent, but almost all of it rolling, the course takes runners to remote villages and up and down dry valleys, with some truly beautiful and certainly quitessentially English scenery.

The preview highlighted the likelehood of both mens and womens course records being under threat. Right from the gun, the two likely leading contenders stamped their authority on the respective races.

Julia Davis

As we know in this sport as in many others, smooth is fast. And none run smoother than Julia Davis. Our Centurion Coach, La Sportiva UK athlete and Team GB 100km and trail team member is just a phenomenal all round runner, from the road to the trail and all the into the mountains. With the combination of fast running and some shorter steeper climbs, this course fit Julia perfectly and she made the day her own. Cruising round seemingly completely unphased she was ahead of course record pace from the start and simply expanded that margin as the race went on. During the latter stages it was just a question of how far she would win by and how much she would take off of the 7:37 previous best. It turns out the answer was a huge 23 minutes as she crossed the line in 7:13:19 to add another record to her long standing SDW50 best. 

Veronika Gill

Second place was an extremely close fought affair. Alice Bourne who was second at Lakeland 50 earlier this year, held that position for the majority of the race looking for her first podium with us. But a hard charging Veronika Gill who made the podium at the NDW50 this past May, made up a five minute deficit at the final check point with 10km to go, to come past in the last couple of miles and take second in 8:06 just two minutes ahead of Alice. 

Alice Bourne

The mens race took on a similar shape to the womens, as pre-race favourite Joe Turner went out hard from the gun, chasing Jon Ellis' course record of 6:22 that has stood since 2020.

Joe has a fine pedigree having previously won our Hundred Hills 50km in a course record time this past March. That course and this overlap in several places so the terrain was very familiar. Initially Joe was actually slightly off of Jon's splits. He made Ibstone, the marathon mark in 3:08, a full five minutes behind of Jon's 3:03. But from there he was able to turn on the jets and begin eating into that margin. Behind him, early pace setter Nick Berry (third at the HH50k in March) and Jack Snell, became just Nick as the wheels came off of Jack's race. Joe didn't look back, he simply forged on as efficiently as possible and through the final check point he'd clawed back the defecit and seemed likely to be able to do just enough to set a new record. That he did, crossing the line in a superb 6:18:15. 

Joe Turner with Julia Davis - the two new course record holders

Nick Berry ran a strong race for second in 6:41:45 which in many recent years would have been enough to take the win. Third place went to Tom Harvey who paced himself extremely well for a fine podium finish in 6:54. 

Two notable mentions before we come to the Age Group titles. Vince Darley and Luigi Fumero each made it ten out of ten editions finished when they crossed the line this weekend. Both have been absolute stalwarts of our events over the years but to show up fit and healthy enough to finish ten editions of any race is something truly special, not least ten in a row. They epitomise what this event is about. Low key, a beautiful course and one that many come back to time and again for the amazing community around it.

Ten Time Finisher Vince Darley

The womens age category trophies were awarded to the following:

First FV40 to Karen Hacker, also fourth in the ladies race in 8:23. First FV50 to a truly shocked but very deserving Lisa Watson in 10:34. First FV60 to the outstanding Eleanor Grant of Black Trail Runners who also took home the FV60 trophy at the Hundred Hills 50km in March.

Karen Hacker

First MV40 was Nick Berry who was also second. First MV50 was Jason Leaf in a time of 7:39. First MV60 went to Aziouz Lammali in 8:54. 

We welcomed 221 runners over the line from a starting field of 244 for a 91% finish rate. Equalling the highest ever at this event. A huge thanks to our volunteer team for making thie race possible, as always. We are back in Goring in just under four weeks time for the Autumn 100 which looks like it will be an absolute barn stormer - will we see records fall again....?